1 Kings 14:22 Study Bible: Judah did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they committed, above all that their fathers had done.

◄ 1 Kings 14:22 ►

And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and by the sins they committed they provoked Him to jealous anger more than all their fathers had done.

Study Bible

Judah did evil
The term "Judah" refers to the southern kingdom, which consisted of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. This phrase indicates a collective moral and spiritual failure. The Hebrew word for "evil" is "ra," which encompasses not only moral wickedness but also actions that are harmful and destructive. This highlights the gravity of Judah's actions, which were not just personal failings but had communal and national implications. Historically, this period was marked by idolatry and a departure from the covenantal faithfulness expected by God.

in the sight of the LORD
This phrase underscores the omniscience of God, who sees all actions and intentions. The Hebrew word for "sight" is "ayin," meaning "eye," which metaphorically represents God's awareness and judgment. Theologically, this serves as a reminder that human actions are always visible to God, and thus, accountability is inevitable. It also reflects the covenant relationship where God is the ultimate judge of Israel's faithfulness.

By the sins they committed
The word "sins" in Hebrew is "chatta'ah," which implies missing the mark or falling short of God's standards. This phrase indicates a pattern of behavior rather than isolated incidents. The historical context reveals that these sins included idolatry, injustice, and neglect of the Mosaic Law. The use of "committed" suggests deliberate and repeated actions, emphasizing the willful nature of their rebellion against God.

they provoked His jealous anger
The word "provoked" comes from the Hebrew "ka'as," meaning to irritate or incite. This indicates that Judah's actions were not passive but actively stirred God's response. The term "jealous" is "qana" in Hebrew, which, in the context of God, refers to His zealous protection of His covenant relationship with Israel. God's "anger" or "aph" in Hebrew, signifies a righteous and just response to sin. This phrase highlights the personal nature of God's relationship with His people, where their unfaithfulness is seen as a betrayal.

more than all their fathers had done
This comparison to "all their fathers" serves as a historical indictment, suggesting that Judah's sins surpassed those of previous generations. It implies a progressive moral decline and a failure to learn from the past. Theologically, it underscores the seriousness of their rebellion and the increasing distance from the covenantal ideals established by their ancestors. This phrase serves as a warning of the consequences of cumulative disobedience and the importance of returning to God's ways.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, with Jerusalem as its capital. At this time, Judah was under the rule of King Rehoboam, Solomon's son.

2. Rehoboam
The king of Judah during this period. His reign is marked by a departure from the ways of the LORD, leading the nation into idolatry and sin.

3. The LORD
The covenant God of Israel, who is portrayed as being provoked to anger by Judah's actions. His relationship with Israel is central to the account.

4. Idolatry
The specific sin that Judah engaged in, which included the worship of foreign gods and the establishment of high places, Asherah poles, and other pagan practices.

5. Jealous Anger of God
A key theme in this passage, highlighting God's response to Judah's unfaithfulness. The Hebrew word for "jealous" (qanna) conveys a deep, protective zeal for His covenant relationship with His people.

Teaching Points

The Danger of Idolatry
Idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but can include anything that takes the place of God in our lives. We must examine our hearts for modern-day idols.

God's Jealous Love
God's jealousy is rooted in His love and desire for a faithful relationship with His people. Understanding this helps us appreciate the seriousness of our commitment to Him.

Consequences of Sin
Judah's actions led to God's anger and eventual judgment. Our sins have consequences, and we must seek repentance and restoration.

Leadership and Influence
Rehoboam's leadership led Judah astray. Leaders have a significant impact on those they lead, and they must guide others toward righteousness.

Faithfulness to God's Commands
Remaining faithful to God's commands is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship with Him. We must strive to live according to His Word.

Bible Study Questions

1. What modern-day idols might we be tempted to worship, and how can we guard against them?

2. How does understanding God's jealousy change our perspective on His commandments and our relationship with Him?

3. In what ways can we ensure that our leadership, whether in family, church, or community, aligns with God's will?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced the consequences of sin. How did you seek restoration with God?

5. How can we encourage one another to remain faithful to God's commands in a world that often promotes idolatry?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 20:5
This verse introduces the concept of God's jealousy, emphasizing His desire for exclusive worship and the consequences of idolatry.

Deuteronomy 32:16-21
These verses describe how Israel's idolatry provokes God's anger, similar to the situation in Judah during Rehoboam's reign.

2 Chronicles 12:1-12
This passage provides a parallel account of Rehoboam's reign, detailing the consequences of Judah's unfaithfulness and God's response.

Jeremiah 3:6-10
The prophet Jeremiah speaks of Judah's unfaithfulness and idolatry, echoing the themes found in 1 Kings 14:22.

Sermons

The Sin of Judah	J.A. Macdonald	1 Kings 14:21-24
Unfaithfulness and its Rebuke	J. Urquhart	1 Kings 14:21-31

People

Abijah, Abijam, Ahijah, David, Israelites, Jeroboam, Naamah, Nadab, Rehoboam, Shishak, Sodomites, Solomon, Tirzah

Places

Bethel, Egypt, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Shiloh, Tirzah

Topics

Anger, Angry, Committed, Evil, Fathers, Jealous, Jealousy, Judah, Moved, Provoked, Sight, Sinned, Sins, Stirred, Zealous

Dictionary of Bible Themes

1 Kings 14:22

     1185   God, zeal of
     5790   anger, divine
     8773   jealousy

1 Kings 14:21-24

7241 Jerusalem, significance

8829 superstition

1 Kings 14:22-26

7245 Judah, kingdom of

Library

Synopsis. --The Gradual Narrowing of the Miraculous Element in the Bible by Recent Discovery and Discussion. --The Alarm Thereby Excited in the Church. --The Fallacy Which
It is barely forty years since that beloved and fearless Christian scholar, Dean Stanley, spoke thus of the miracles recorded of the prophet Elisha: "His works stand alone in the Bible in their likeness to the acts of mediaeval saints. There alone in the Sacred History the gulf between Biblical and Ecclesiastical miracles almost disappears."[5] It required some courage to say as much as this then, while the storm of persecution was raging against Bishop Colenso for his critical work on the Pentateuch. …
James Morris Whiton—Miracles and Supernatural Religion

Jeroboam
BY REV. ALFRED ROWLAND, D.D., LL.B. "Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin."--1 KINGS xiv. 16. Jeroboam's character is worthy of serious study, not only because it influenced the destiny of God's ancient people, but because it suggests lessons of the utmost value to His people still. He may be fairly regarded as a type of those who are successful men of the world. He was not an example of piety, for he had none--nor of lofty principle, for he was an opportunist who made expediency …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Whether Contention is a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that contention is not a mortal sin. For there is no mortal sin in spiritual men: and yet contention is to be found in them, according to Lk. 22:24: "And there was also a strife amongst" the disciples of Jesus, "which of them should . . . be the greatest." Therefore contention is not a mortal sin. Objection 2: Further, no well disposed man should be pleased that his neighbor commit a mortal sin. But the Apostle says (Phil. 1:17): "Some out of contention preach Christ," …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Divination by Drawing Lots is Unlawful?
Objection 1: It would seem that divination by drawing lots is not unlawful, because a gloss of Augustine on Ps. 30:16, "My lots are in Thy hands," says: "It is not wrong to cast lots, for it is a means of ascertaining the divine will when a man is in doubt." Objection 2: There is, seemingly, nothing unlawful in the observances which the Scriptures relate as being practiced by holy men. Now both in the Old and in the New Testament we find holy men practicing the casting of lots. For it is related …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). In our last chapter we considered at some length the much debated and difficult question of the human will. We have shown that the will of the natural man is neither Sovereign nor free but, instead, a servant and slave. We have argued that a right conception of the sinner's will-its servitude-is essential to a just estimate of his depravity and ruin. The utter corruption and degradation of human nature is something which …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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